As a fellow dog owner, you probably know how annoying and harmful external parasites in dogs can be. These tiny creatures can cause discomfort, itching, irritation, and even diseases in our four-legged companions. In this article, I’ll give you a simple guide to external parasites in dogs, including what they are, how to identify them, what problems they can cause, and ways to treat and prevent them.
What Are External Dog Parasites?
External parasites in dogs are organisms that live on the skin or fur of animals and feed on their blood or tissue. Some of the most common external parasites in dogs are fleas, ticks, and mites. They can each infest a dog differently: through contact with other animals, the environment, or humans.
Fleas are those tiny, pesky insects that love to jump long distances and bite your dog repeatedly. They can make dogs itch severely, causing inflammation, allergic reactions, and hair loss. Worse still, fleas can transmit tapeworms and other diseases, which can cause plenty of additional problems.
Ticks, classified as “arachnids,” behave somewhat differently; they attach themselves to the dog’s skin and suck their blood. Besides causing irritation and inflammation, nasty skin infections can arise. Ticks can also carry and transmit severe diseases, which we will discuss later in this article.
Mites are microscopic organisms that burrow into your dog’s skin and cause mange, an intense skin condition. Itching, redness, crusts, scabs, hair loss, and infections can all result. Different mites cause other forms of mange, such as sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, and ear mites.
Lice are another external parasite that can affect dogs, although they are less common than fleas, ticks, and mites. Healthy dogs with good hygiene and grooming are less susceptible to lice infestation, so we will not cover them in detail in this article.
Specifics of Fleas, Mites, and Ticks
To identify and treat external parasites in dogs, you need to know some specifics about them, including their life cycle, appearance, and behavior.
Fleas
Fleas go through four life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa (in a cocoon), and adult (1). The ones that bite your dog are usually adults, but you may be surprised to learn they only comprise about 5% of the total flea population. The rest lurk in the environment, waiting to hatch and infest your dog again (2).
Most fleas are dark brown or black and about 2 or 3 mm long. They might hop on your dog’s belly, tail, or ears. If you look closely, you may notice some feces, which are tiny black specks in the case of fleas.
Mites
Demodex and Sarcoptes are two types of dog mites that can cause mange, a skin condition that results from mite infestation. These minute creatures are only visible with a magnifying glass or a microscope. But sometimes, you may see specks of different colors moving on your dog’s skin. These are the mites or their eggs.
Ticks
A tick has four developmental stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult (3). While the larvae and nymphs are tiny and challenging to see, the adult ones are far more prominent and visible. Depending on the species and the feeding stage, they differ in size, color, and shape. They can be flat or engorged and range from 1 mm to 1 cm long.
You might find these critters anywhere on your dog’s body, but they prefer warm and moist areas like the ears, neck, armpits, and groin. You can see them with the naked eye or a magnifying glass and feel their small, rigid bodies with your fingers.
Source: By Larvalmadness – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Video and Pictures
In the following video, Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, a veterinary expert on parasites, explains the signs, symptoms, treatments, and prevention of fleas, ticks, mites, and other external parasites in dogs. If you’re keen to see what these bugs look like, don’t miss the video, which has plenty of pictures.
Disease Problems Related to Parasites
External parasites in dogs are highly problematic because they cause more than just discomfort and irritation. They can also manifest into serious health problems without prompt and correct treatment.
Anemia
It is possible for heavy flea or tick infestations or certain diseases transmitted by parasites to trigger profound blood loss. Anemia happens when a dog has a low number of red blood cells (which they need to carry oxygen throughout the body). If left untreated, this condition can make the animal tired and weak, as evidenced by pale gums and rapid breathing.
Allergic Reactions
Some dogs have allergic responses to the saliva of fleas, mites, or ticks. As a result, they can develop a hypersensitivity reaction called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tick bite hypersensitivity, or sarcoptic mange. Some canines react by feeling extremely itchy, with sore skin, hair loss, and troublesome skin infections (also known as “hot spots”).
Skin Infections
When bites and scratches from external parasites in dogs damage the skin, bacteria or fungi can enter and cause infections. Redness, swelling, pus, crusts, scabs, and odor indicate something isn’t quite right.
Systemic Diseases
Some external parasites can carry and transmit diseases that affect the animal’s skin and other body organs and systems (4). Such infections come with several potential consequences: fever, joint pain, lameness, lymph node enlargement, weight loss, and organ failure, to name a few. Some examples of these diseases are:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Bartonellosis
- Leishmaniasis
Conventional Treatment Options and Their Side Effects
If you think your dog may have external parasites, the top priority is to book an appointment with your vet for the best treatment option. Depending on the type and severity of the infestation, your vet may prescribe one or more of the following:
Topical products are liquids, sprays, shampoos, or powders that you apply directly to the skin. These treatments work by killing or repelling the parasites. Still, they may have unwanted and unpleasant side effects if accidentally ingested.
Oral medications – Certain tablets, capsules, or chews containing medication can be given to dogs by mouth to kill or prevent the parasites. These medicines are usually effective and convenient, but they come with potential side effects. Your vet can guide you on their safety and efficacy (5).
Injectable solutions can be injected directly into the muscles or under the skin to kill or prevent external parasites in dogs. These products are also usually effective and long-lasting, but they can be painful or cause systemic reactions in some animals.
Manual Removal
If you find a tick on your dog, you may be able to remove it using tweezers or a tick remover (a handy gadget to add to your pet’s first aid kit). This method is generally safe and inexpensive, but it may be time-consuming and tedious, and there’s the chance of not completely removing the parasite.
Important! Please ask your vet about the most appropriate preventive measure for your pet based on their breed, age, and current health. Remember to pay close attention to the product dosage and instructions, and watch for any adverse reactions or infestation symptoms in your dog!
Tips to Manage External Parasites
Besides treating your dog for external parasites in dogs at your vet’s clinic, taking as many steps as possible to prevent them from happening in the first place (or recurring) is a good, responsible approach. Here are some top tips to follow:
Keep Your Dog Clean and Groomed
Regular bathing and brushing are the best ways to remove dirt, debris, and dead hair from your dog’s coat. Doing this makes it less attractive and hospitable for parasites. Besides, regular grooming is hygienic and makes your pet feel happier. A flea comb is a handy tool to check for and remove fleas, or their dirt, from your dog’s fur.
Keep Your Home Clean and Sanitized
Vacuuming, washing, and disinfecting all pet bedding and toys can help remove any eggs, larvae, or pupae hiding there. However, vacuuming only removes 15-50% of flea larvae from carpets (6), so you may need to use flea bombs, sprays, or foggers to rid your home and yard of parasites lurking there.
Caution: While household products like Lysol can effectively kill fleas on surfaces and floors, please don’t use them on your pet because they can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and other unwanted health issues.
Avoid Contact With Other Affected Animals
Try not to expose your dog to other animals or locations where external parasites might be present. A few possible risk areas are:
- Proximity to wildlife or stray dogs
- Parks, woods, or other heavily treed areas
Top tip: Use a leash to control where your dog goes outdoors. This simple act will help prevent them from wandering off or getting into trouble!
Final Thoughts
External parasites in dogs are not only annoying but also dangerous. Besides making animals uncomfortable and irritable, they can spread harmful diseases to our pets and families.
As dog owners, learning about the signs and symptoms of this common problem is valuable, as is seeking veterinary guidance to give your pup the best care possible. Also, to prevent some of the diseases that external parasites can transmit, please follow your vet’s advice on the vaccinations your dog needs.
Sources and Further Reading
- External Parasites – American Veterinary Medical Association
- Flea Lifecycles – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Understanding the Flea Life Cycle – FleaScience
- Tick Lifecycles (with photos) – Tick Talk
- Tickborne Diseases of the United States – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- External Dog Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Lice, Mites – American Kennel Club
- Does Vacuuming Kill Flea Larvae? – FleaScience
